Celtic v VfB Stuttgart – Tounekti deserves a start, ‘Mon’ managing Hatate

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The Celtic Star

·17 de fevereiro de 2026

Celtic v VfB Stuttgart – Tounekti deserves a start, ‘Mon’ managing Hatate

Celtic winger Sebastian Tounekti seems to have come on to a game and is flourishing under the guidance of Martin O’Neill, with his sparkling performances in the last three fixtures certainly catching the eye. However for Reo Hatate the opposite is the case..

Sebastian Tounekti scores for Celtic at Rugby Park, Kilmarnock 2 Celtic 3. Scottish Premiership. Sunday 15 February 2026. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

Tounekti has registered two goals and the same number of assists in that period, making him one of our most productive players, with all his contributions coming via the bench.

Vídeos OneFootball

The Tunisian is seen as more of an impact player, and with good reason, but his recent form is proven hard to ignore, and he’s due a start in the upcoming run of tough fixtures, but who will be replace?

11.02.2026 Celtic v Livingston, Scottish Premiership. Daizen Maeda in action. Photo Kenny Ramsay IMAGO/ News Licensing

Seb has been utilised on the right had side before, but it’s clear his best work is produced on the left hand side of the attack, which allows him to cut in in order to use his stronger right foot, so for me Daizen Maeda has to be the player sacrificed to give the Tunisian International a well deserved starting berth.

Like most of the Celtic support, I adore and respect Daizen, but it’s evident that his head is somewhere else at the moment, and he’s failing to produce the form that we all know he’s capable of. His head has been well and truly turned.

The Daizen of last season, is well and truly gone, with a poorer imitation taking place this campaign. The badly kept secret of his desire to leave, is most likely behind his drop in form.

Sebastian Tounekti scores Celtic’s first goal Kilmarnock v Celtic, Scottish Premiership, Rugby Park, Kilmarnock, 15 February 2026. Photo Pete Summers IMAGO/Shutterstock

With that in mind, and Seb’s undoubtedly talent and potential, coupled with his hunger to succeed, it makes perfect sense for the Tunisian to be handed the starting berth going forward as our first pick left winger.

He might have his critics amongst the Celtic support, and he is undoubtedly a raw talent with a lot to learn. But his attitude and performances put him at the front of the queue in my opinion.

Celtic v Utrecht, UEFA Europa League, League Stage. Back row (L-R) Sebastian Tounekti, Auston Trusty, Arne Engels, Benjamin Nygren, Liam Scales, Kasper Schmeichel. Front row (L-R) Daizen Maeda, Yang Hyeon-Jun, Callum McGregor, Kieran Tierney, Colby Donovan Photo: Kenny Ramsay. IMAGO / News Licensing

That however gives Daizen the chance to battle for a place on the right hand side of our front three. Against VfB both of our Japanese stars, seemingly running down the clock ahead of summer moves, can put themselves in the shop window. This of course will be a point that Martin O’Neill will make to both Daizen and Reo Hatate who was anonymous in that first half at Rugby Park on Sunday afternoon.

Arne Engels of Celtic has a shot on goal. Celtic v Livingston, Scottish Premiership, 11 Feb rural 2026. Photo Mark Runnacles IMAGO Shutterstock

With Arne Engels out with a thigh injury and Alex Oxlade Chamberlain – or Neville as Sandman calls him – not registered for the Europa squad, the Celtic boss has a real dilemma in the middle of the park.

Reo Hatate of Celtic. Falkirk v Celtic, Scottish Premiership, Falkirk Stadium, 14 January 2026. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

Reo let him down in Bologna with that foolish red card in the first half, that after he opened the scoring for Celtic. He is a player who could be a difference maker for Celtic and one who always seems more motivated to play in European football for the stage that it gives him. Martin might just realise this and play Hatate in the two legs but have him sitting out the crucial domestic games either side of the Europa League play-off matches.

Just an Ordinary Bhoy

Celtic in the Thirties by Matt Corr. Click on image to order